Hotel & Motel Management - May 19, 2008 - (Page 4)

4 News H&MM May 19, 2008 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition Bob Habeeb, president and c.o.o. of First Hospitality Group, accepts the award for HotelWorld’s Hotelier of the Year. The trophy was designed by Dale Evers. Hotelier of the Year leads team to victory By Stephanie Ricca MANAGING EDITOR RENEE ROSADO The construction pipeline stood at 5,807 projects and 779,307 guestrooms at the end of the ﬁrst quarter of 2008, according to Lodging Econometrics. These ﬁgures represent a record high for both projects and room counts, according to the company. “Developers remain bullish about the future,” said LE President Patrick Ford. Fairmont Rafﬂes Hotels International named Thomas Storey president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Storey most recently served as executive v.p., development, for the company. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide appointed Simon Turner president, global development. He most recently was a principal for Hotel Capital Advisers. Carlson Hotels Worldwide restructured its business development and made several leadership changes to support its growth strategy. William Sipple was named corporate v.p. of development, and John Sturgess was named corporate v.p. of franchise development. Jeff Summers now is v.p. of investment and analysis for Carlson Hotels Real Estate. LAS VEGAS–Good culture leads to good business, according to Bob Habeeb, president and c.o.o. of Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, and winner of the ﬁrst Hotelier of the Year award sponsored by HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT. It’s a concept he has embraced throughout his career, particularly during his current role at FHG, a hospitality management and development company that manages 35 properties in the Midwest. “Our saying here is ‘game on,’” he said. “We have a group of talented people who come in every day and love what they do. Our culture is based on having that enthusiasm and rewarding people. That ﬂows all the way down to the unit level.” Habeeb’s sports metaphors make sense: Words like “team” and “talent” are prominent in his conversation. “I’m like [Los Angeles Lakers coach] Phil Jackson,” he joked. “I’m surrounded by very talented players.” Habeeb’s plan of promoting a strong culture as a way to strengthen corporate goals, such as proﬁtability and decreased employee See Hotelier | page 46 Sheraton builds on international success By Heather Gunter ASSOCIATE EDITOR WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–It’s Sheraton’s turn to shine. While Starwood Hotels & Resorts has been busy launching new brands, including aloft and Element, and innovating existing brands like Westin, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts—Starwood’s largest and most global brand— has struggled with inconsistency and some underperforming properties. To combat this history, Sheraton rolled out a comprehensive design plan, as well as the most aggressive growth plan in its 71 years. “We fully expect to join Westin in the upper-upscale segment and to become the choice for new developers, and that’s how we’re going to measure success,” said Hoyt See Sheraton | page 48 Before and after: The Sheraton guestroom [before shown above] is getting a makeover. The brand will renovate 50,000 guestrooms with classic [left], relaxed or simple design templates with color palettes inspired by nature. Dr. Daniel Thorniley, senior v.p., The Economist Group, based in Vienna, Austria, will keynote the Russia & CIS Hotel Investment Conference, held October 21-22 at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow. The event is hosted by Questex Media Group and The Bench. For more information visit www. russia-cisconference.com. For updated breaking news, visit www.HotelMotel.com. Slower, smaller transactions in ﬁrst quarter By Emily Hanna ASSOCIATE EDITOR NATIONAL REPORT–As 2007 came to a close, brokers and investors looked toward the coming year with a wary eye. Transactions were expected to slow in 2008, due to increasing cost of debt and slower revenue-per-available-room growth, brokers said in December (“Highs and lows expected for 2008,” December 2007, page 44). Now, as the second quarter of 2008 rolls on, deal makers move forward with caution, as recent reports show unsteadiness in the sales market. The Lodging Ledger, a report released by HosNiehaus pitium—a HBI consulting ﬁrm specializing in the upscale and luxury sectors—showed the luxury and upscale segments struggled in the ﬁrst quarter, while the Trans- Lesser CBRE Actions Recap 2008, released by Hotel Brokers International, predicted a “slight edge” for buyers, but nevertheless strong pricing and active sales in the coming year. “Our expectation is still it’s going to be up and down. There’s nothing steady in our business of transactions,” said H. Brandt Niehaus, 2008 president of HBI and president of Huff, Niehaus & Associates. The ﬁrst quarter of 2008 was a mix of up and down numbers for HBI, an association of more than 100 brokers that represents about 25 percent of all transactions occurring in the less-than-$10-million sector of lodging. Dollar volume was up Q1, but the number of transactions was down, meaning the cost per sale was higher than See Transactions | page 46 STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS H. Harper II, senior v.p., Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. Harper, who moved from leading the Four Points by Sheraton brand almost a year-and-a-half ago, called the brand’s revitalization plan a labor of love. The effort will bring Sheraton North America up to the brand’s international stature, he said. “We’ve been very successful http://HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.russia-cisconference.com http://www.russia-cisconference.com http://www.HotelMotel.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - May 19, 2008

Hotel & Motel Management - May 12, 2008 Contents Hotelier of the Year Leads Team to Victory Sheraton Builds on International Success Slower, Smaller Transactions in First Quarter Perspective Legal FAQ What Women Want Sales Clinic AAHOA Update Franchise Law Family Business Travel Trends Guest Column HotelWorld Update Trends & Stats Cleaning and Maintenance H&MM's 2008 Franchising Fees Guide FACs Evolve to Meet Brand, Owner Needs The Importance of Branding When Buying Ad/Editorial Index Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out

Hotel & Motel Management - May 19, 2008

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